Remembering what’s important
May is the month when we remember the many men and women who fought and died to keep this great nation free. More than just a few of those patriots understood their obligation in religious terms. G. K. Chesterton, one of Britain’s greatest writers, philosophers, and Christian apologists, recognized this when he wrote: America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed. That creed is set forth with dogmatic and even theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence, perhaps the only piece of practical politics that is . . . also great literature. America certainly is a nation founded on biblical principles and its history makes for soaring literature when viewed through a Christian worldview. One of the great biblical statements that frames our nation comes from Psalm 33:12—Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Another great biblical statement that defines the inner soul of America comes from Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalteth a nation. But sin is a reproach to any people. As we pause to remember those who sacrificed for this land, let us never forget that historically we have been a nation worthy of such sacrifice. But of late we have drifted into the latter part of that verse. As we look to a Memorial Day celebration, and then to a Fourth of July, let us be reminded of another great biblical statement found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ Pastor Mike
